HIV Lipoatrophy questions

How much experience does Dr. Pierone have in performing facial injections?

Dr. Pierone has been administering dermal filler injections since 2005. He has performed over 20,000 treatments with Radiesse®, Sculptra®, Bellafill® (Artefill®) and Juvederm Ultra®. He regularly teaches other providers in advanced injection techniques, and is a national physician trainer for Bellafill®, of Suneva Medical, Inc.

What products does Dr Pierone use?

Bellafill® (Artefill®), Radiesse® and Sculptra® are the most common fillers that he uses. Repeated injections are typically necessary for optimal correction. Dr. Pierone also uses BOTOX® Cosmetic, Juvederm®, Voluma® and Dysport™ to help treat wrinkles.

What is Bellafill ® (Artefill ®)?

Bellafill® (Artefill®) is the only FDA approved permanent facial filler. It is a combination of bovine collagen and PMMA microspheres. It offers a long-term solution to loss of facial volume and expands the options for management of this issue. We use this product to treat HIV Lipoatrophy patients.

What is Radiesse ®?

Radiesse® is an injectable product that is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres. Calcium hydroxylapatite has a long history of safe use in surgical reconstruction. Radiesse® immediately adds facial fullness following the first treatment session. A touch up treatment may be necessary several weeks after the initial treatment. The results of this product typically last from 9 months to 18 months.

What is Sculptra ®?

Sculptra® is a synthetic injectable material composed of poly-L-lactic acid. Poly-L-lactic acid is biocompatible and biodegradable and has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches and other types of implants. Sculptra® is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss and leads to a gradual increase in the skin thickness. A series of treatment courses are usually necessary to achieve optimal results. Sculptra® may last two years or longer after treatment is completed.

Can someone who has had cosmetic surgery be treated with dermal fillers?

Yes. In many cases dermal filler injections may enhance the results of the cosmetic surgery. We often treat patients that have had cosmetic surgery to balance the results of surgery.

What areas of the face are fillers used in the most?

Dermal fillers are used in many different areas of the face. Common treatment areas include cheekbone enhancement, smile lines, marionette lines, jaw-line enhancement, and correction of acne scars.

Do filler injections hurt?

There is some discomfort associated with facial filler treatment, but the pain is manageable. Dr. Pierone uses microcannulas instead of needles and this makes the experience much less painful than older techniques. We also numbing cream to reduce pain and all of the facial fillers are formulated with lidocaine, a local anesthetic.

What is recovery like for filler injections?

One of the great things about filler injections is that treatments are associated with a relatively short recovery time. The most common problem is swelling and bruising related to the injections but many patients have minor or no bruising. Some patients do experience significant initial swelling which usually resolved in a day or two.